Moscow concert hall attack: Putin wishes injured victims speedy recovery

President Vladimir Putin wished a speedy recovery to the wounded victims of the deadly attack on a Moscow concert hall, Russia's deputy prime minister said on Saturday after meeting with him.

"The president wished everyone a speedy recovery and conveyed his gratitude to the doctors," Tatyana Golikova was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies. Putin has yet to comment publicly on the attack.

Gunmen opened fire at a Moscow concert hall on Friday killing more than 60 people, wounding more than 100 and sparking an inferno, authorities said, with the Islamic State group claiming responsibility.

Attackers dressed in camouflage uniforms entered the building, opened fire and threw a grenade or incendiary bomb, according to a journalist for the RIA Novosti news agency at the scene.

Fire quickly spread through the Crocus City concert hall in Moscow's northern Krasnogorsk suburb, as smoke filled the building and screaming visitors rushed to emergency exits.

Alexei, a music producer, was about to settle into his seat before the start of a rock concert when he heard gunfire and "a lot of screams".

"I realised right away that it was automatic gunfire and understood that most likely it's the worst: a terrorist attack," said Alexei, who would not give his last name.

As people ran towards emergency exits, "there was a terrible crush" with concert-goers climbing on one another's heads to get out, he added.

Russia's Investigative Committee said Saturday that more than 60 people had been killed, raising an earlier toll of 40, according to Russian news agencies.

Russia's Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said 115 people were hospitalised, including five children, one of whom was in grave condition. Of the 110 adult patients, 60 were in serious condition.

Authorities said a "terrorist" investigation had been started and President Vladimir Putin was receiving "constant" updates, his spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies.

Russia's national guard said it was on the scene and looking for the perpetrators. An AFP reporter saw police officers with sniffer dogs inspecting vehicles parked next to the building.

The Islamic State group said its fighters attacked "a large gathering" on Moscow's outskirts and "retreated to their bases safely".

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